Here’s a puzzle: Experts examined the registration data for 400 million cars and trucks to rank the models most likely to hit 250,000 miles. The pickup truck rankings were dominated by heavy-duty Detroit trucks. The mid-size and compacts took a close second place. Meanwhile, certain half-ton full-size trucks fell short. Only one landed in the top ten: the Toyota Tundra.

The Ram 3500 has the best statistical chance of hitting 250,000 miles: 39.7%. It’s a mind-boggling three times as likely to hit ultra-high mileage as your average vehicle. The Toyota Tundra claims second place, with an impressive 30% chance of hitting 250,000. That’s twice as likely as average. Ford’s F-450 Super Duty comes in third, while the Toyota Tacoma claims fourth.

Midsize and compact pickups last longer than the most popular half-ton trucks

The midsize/compact truck train keeps rolling with the Honda Ridgeline claiming spot 11. The GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado beat out the Ford F-150. That’s right, America’s “favorite truck” loses to four different midsize/compacts in the rankings.

The Ram 1500 lands last, at spot 19. That means the truck that shares countless components with the number one ranked Ram 3500 loses in the longevity rankings to the Nissan Frontier. Why are half-ton trucks falling apart? The answer may be in how we use them.

Reasons half-ton pickup trucks may be falling apart

Not every half-ton truck does heavy duty plowing or towing. But if enough do, and it wears them out rapidly, they’ll skew the numbers. The “half-ton truck” is just an advertising distinction. It means full-size, light-duty. It’s a uniquely American segment. Foreign markets enjoy Super Duty midsize beasts that would embarrass our half-ton trucks. But while our half-tons may look like heavy-duty trucks, they aren’t built to the same standards. And obviously, they aren’t lasting nearly as long when treated like heavy-duty trucks.

In addition, buyers who can’t afford a heavy-duty truck from the outset may not be able to afford preventative maintenance. Thus, half-tons might get neglected and wear out faster. Meanwhile, mid-size trucks may get babied or driven less often and are lasting much longer. But that’ just a theory. Check out the entire iSeeCars ranking embedded below and decide for yourself:

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